Nate is back

writing my blog

World of birds

We went to the World of Birds. It was bad news for my Mom and I because there were so many birds (imagine that!). My Mom does not like birds but she went because Sammy wanted to go there.  We saw so many birds. There were macaws, chickens, emus, cockatoos, vultures, owls, eagles. Pretty much any bird you could imagine.  Besides the birds that are extinct, of course!  

The only bird they didn’t have was a Fish Eagle.  The fish eagle is the national bird of South Africa.  It’s a big eagle with a brown body and big strong black wings and of course, it eats fish.  It’s known for their calls, so  it’s nickname is the “Voice of Africa”. You can normally find them in a tall tree near a river, lake,  or shoreline . 

We also saw guinea pigs, axolotls and lemurs.  Do you know what an axolotl is? It’s a walking fish also know as a Mexican walking fish, tiger salamander or for people who like Pokemon it’s a  My favourite Pokemon, Mud kip !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Axolotl

Groot Constantia

We went to Groot Constantia, the oldest wine producing estate in South Africa.  We went there because Mom and Dad love wine and to learn about how wine is made. It was built in the 16 hundreds and did you know that Groot is a Dutch word for great. 

The old house

First, we went on a tour around the museum that was a old house from the 16 hundreds. We saw the kitchen, bedrooms, dining rooms, and the slave quarters :( . Next, Mom and Dad tasted wine! They loved it. 

On our way to the wine tasting

Then, we went on a wine tour. it showed us how wine is made. We got to see the barrels and all the different machines they use to make wine.  Do you know they use French oak barrels and not South African or American oak?  

wine barrels

How to make red wine

checking out at smaller version of a machine

checking out the vineyards

Finally, Mom and Dad got wine and some chocolate. 

Hop on Hop off Bus tour of Cape Town area

We went on a hop on hop off bus. It is a double decker bus and it looks like the ones you go on in London, but smaller.  We went on a loop from Hout Bay to back to Hout Bay. We did not get off but we saw lot of beaches and other places we have already gone to and where we might visit.  I liked going on the bus.  

market on the side of the road

Chat soon!!!!!!!!! I will write more this week!

Nate